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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Australia Sues Telegram for Failing to Remove Terrorist Content

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Australia's eSafety Commissioner has initiated legal action against Telegram, seeking a potential fine of AU$54.6 million for failing to remove terrorist content.
  • The regulator alleges that videos of executions, mass shootings, and extremist material linked to attacks like the Christchurch mosque shootings remained accessible on the platform despite warnings.
  • The lawsuit follows a similar charge against Telegram founder Pavel Durov in Russia for allegedly facilitating terrorist activity.

Australia is pursuing legal action against messaging platform Telegram, with the eSafety Commissioner seeking a potential fine of AU$54.6 million ($38 million). The regulator accuses Telegram of failing to remove terrorist content, including videos of executions and mass shootings, despite being warned.

According to eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, the pro-terror content remained accessible on the service long after Telegram was put on notice. The regulator stated that Telegram failed to remove such content or suspend the accounts responsible between July and October 2025, even after users reported it. Grant highlighted the action's timing, noting Australia's heightened security environment following recent tragedies.

We allege that this content remained accessible on the service long after Telegram had been put on notice.

— Julie Inman GranteSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant explaining the basis for the legal action against Telegram.

This legal move comes just a day after Russia charged Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, with facilitating terrorist activity. Russia's Federal Security Service issued an international arrest warrant for Durov, alleging the platform was used by Ukrainian operatives for attacks within Russia. In response to the warrant, Telegram's official X account posted an image of Durov making a middle-finger gesture.

This action comes at a time when Australia is experiencing a heightened security environment against the fresh backdrop of the Bondi tragedy.

— Julie Inman GranteSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant linking the lawsuit to recent security concerns in Australia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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